Page 43 of Rainbows Over Cedarwood

“You make me sound noble or something. I’m not noble.” Ashley averted his gaze. “I’m not.”

“Look at me.” He tipped Ashley’s chin. “I’ve got someone in my life who knows about art, is willing to talk about it, can tell a Degas from a Picasso, who is sexy as hell when he sleeps and fucks me in all the right ways.”

“You fucked me,” Ashley whispered.

“Same difference. You’re the thing I was missing in my life. If it takes the rest of my life to show you how much I’m in over my head about you, then I’m ready for the job. I’m crazy fond of you and Wyatt. I can’t see my life without either of you.”

“Good thing, since we’re a mismatched set.” Ashley smiled. “All three of us.”

He’d stopped just short of uttering the word love, but he didn’t regret holding that tidbit back. How could someone know they were in love after a weekend together? He suppressed a chuckle then kissed Ashley. They’d been through what seemed like a lifetime in those three days. Could destruction and harm actually bring two people together? He didn’t think so, but he believed the meeting at the diner wasn’t random. There had been a plan and he couldn’t wait to start his life with Ashley and Wyatt.

“Wow. Dad.” Wyatt slapped Ashley on the hip and tapped Colt’s arm. “There’s a guy ringing the doorbell. I didn’t answer it, but he won’t stop.”

“Fuck, I didn’t hear it,” Colt said. He disengaged from Ashley. “I’ll take care of this.”

“Let’s go watch a movie,” Ashley said. “Show me where the media room is?”

“Around the corner. It’s, like, the whole back of the house.” Wyatt clapped his hands, despite having one of Ashley’s in his fists. “There’s everything in there.”

“I’ll catch up to you in a moment.” Colt winked and left his boyfriend and Wyatt in the hallway. He headed through the living room to the foyer. Sure enough, a man stood on the porch. When Colt got closer, he noticed the man’s features. Black hair, goatee and a polo shirt…he’d seen that look before.Where? One of the attackers? No…He grasped the door handle. Who was this guy? Probably a reporter.Goddamn it.

Colt opened the door. A dozen or so newspeople stood on the sidewalk. Flashbulbs popped and cameras rolled. A couple of questions were shouted at him. He focused his attention on the guy.

“Thanks for bringing them here,” he snapped. “I’m not available for comment.”

“My name is Remy Nicholas. I’m a reporter, but I’m not here for a comment.” Remy mopped his brow. “I needed to talk to you—off the record.”

“About?”

“Stuff.”

He glared at Remy. “I don’t know you from Adam. Why in the name of hell would I trust you or allow you to come into my house? You wanted me for an exclusive yesterday. Now what? A talk? Come on.”Shit.Was he now trying to provoke Colt to make the story juicier? He didn’t see a cameraman with Remy, but maybe there was a hidden one or something.

“Okay, yes, I’m trying to do a story, but it’s not what you think.” Remy dropped his voice to a murmur. “I want to highlight the couples in this town who are part of the support group. A feel-good story about the group finding love despite the crap this town is throwing at them, and to shed a little positive light on the LGBTQ community.”

“You’re on the level?” If he was, then Colt was on board. The community needed positivity. Hell, he needed a good vibe.

“Yeah, I’m on the level. No cameraman. No photographer. Just me trying to do a decent story about decent people.”

“Come in. We’ll talk where there is less intrusion.” Colt unlocked then opened the screen door. He stepped out of the way as Remy entered the house. “What exactly was your title for this gem of a story?”

“Rainbow over Cedarwood.” Remy tugged his notepad from his pocket. “The coalition doesn’t want gay people here in town, but even that negativity isn’t drowning out the spirit of the gay community. We’re thriving and finding relationships. We’re making homes and families. We’re not out here to riot or do some of the outlandish things we’re accused of. We want to be happy like everyone else.”

“We?” Colt leaned against the side table and folded his arms. He widened his stance. “Why do you keep saying we? Are you gay and living in Cedarwood?”

“Yes, I’m gay. No, I don’t live in town. I thought I said something the other night.” Remy tapped his pencil on the paper. “No, that was to your partner, Ashley. Nice guy.”

“I think so.”More than nice, but whatever.

“So you met because Ashley came into the diner. The homey atmosphere combined with his charm won you over?” Remy asked.

“I wasn’t looking to get back into the dating pool, but he changed my mind for me.” Colt measured his breaths. Any moment the boom would drop. He just had that feeling. “It’s a new thing between us, but it’s solid.”

“The single-father thing hasn’t wigged you out?” Remy scrawled on the paper. “Some people aren’t ready to get involved with a single parent.”

“You have to look at the person as a packaged deal—the kid comes along and if you can’t deal with a kid, then don’t date the parent. If you can, then give it a shot.”

“Smart.” Remy jotted more down on the paper. “I’ve already talked to Colin and Jordan as well as Steve and Farin.” He closed the notebook. “The single father support group seems to be a dating service, too. Unintentional, but it is.”

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